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Helping Loved Ones With Depression

Depression affects nearly everJustify Fullyone in one way or another either personally or through a family member. Approximately 80% of all people will experience some level of depression symptoms at least once in their lifetime. While the problem is prevalent not only in adults and is not unusual among teenagers or some children, helping loved ones with depression provides the extra assurance that most will recover from the episodes to go on through life without further debilitating problems. Some outward signs of depressive problems that loved ones can look for include extreme fatigue, lack of motivation, sleeping more than usual, decreased appetite, expressions of guilt, remorse or sadness, and of course, suicidal comments.

It is not unusual for everyone to have times of sadness, discouragement and moments of hopelessness. When these feelings overwhelm a person for weeks or months and disrupt the normal function of life, it is important to take seriously the fears, anxieties, anger or despair that may plague a friend or relative. Helping loved ones can be complex and difficult at times especially when they have not admitted to experiencing depression symptoms. Most professionals suggest a balanced approach to assisting those who may be experiencing hopelessness, whether it is through a health care professional, counselor or other avenue. One of the most productive approaches for dealing with typical symptoms is through a look at the spiritual aspects of the problem.

While depressive problems affect the totality of a person, many experts believe that much of the difficulties associated with it stems from unresolved spiritual issues or an inability to manage life's difficulties through spiritual means. The body, mind and soul are all closely interrelated making it impossible to deal with depression from a purely medical ideology. Christians who base their tenants on the Bible have long associated issues of suffering, guilt, rejection, hopelessness, and a myriad of other natural human emotional conditions with a Scripture based method of helping loved ones with depression. Even some secular psychiatrists assent to the fact that many people who suffer, excluding those who suffer from physically induced depressive symptoms, believe that issues such as emotional guilt play a huge part in the onset and continuance of symptoms.

The famous secular psychiatrist, William Glasser, believed that over half of all those who ended up in asylums would be cured if they knew they were forgiven. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) His is just one example of the secular belief that helping loved ones with depression will inevitably include the addressing of personal issues in order to have relief. The Bible offers healing, help and hope for those who have suffered for years with emotional pain. It also offers answers to those who are dealing with depression symptoms as a result of certain isolated crises in life such as death of a spouse, child or friend. Traumas such as sexual, physical and verbal abuse are common factors that can complicate personal emotions and lead to long term problems.

Issues such as forgiveness and trust in an Almighty God offered from a Scriptural perspective can provide hope and much needed freedom from despair for those suffering from short term emotional traumas or long term, intense suffering. Helping loved ones with depression from a Christian worldview is really the final answer for any spiritual condition that manifests through personal, emotional upheavals. Secularists may accuse of a simplistic approach to depression symptoms, but the "rightly divided Word of Truth" was inspired by God to meet every complex need in the human condition. In fact, there are many human examples in the Bible who faced similar emotional upheavals in life just as people do today. David was a man who experienced depression and melancholia, Job dealt with temptations of despair and Ruth experienced a personal crisis that tilted her world into emotional pain.

From the Book of Ruth alone, we can learn that human perception can be distorted by pain and that life cannot be dictated by feelings of abandonment and failure. An important truth from the Book of Ruth that can also help loved ones with depression is the knowledge that God provides for His own, including the emotional and psychological needs that are common among us all. When there is a determination that symptoms are the result of unresolved spiritual issues, a pastor or Christian counselor can offer help to loved ones for depression. Of course, there are many aspects of depressive problems that must be addressed from physiological to organic mental issues. However, in general terms, most typical depression symptoms can be resolved or managed through proper alignment with Biblical concepts.

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